Anthony Joshua's close friends confirmed dead in horror Nigeria crash which saw boxer hospitalised
Joshua was a passenger in the car and was seated in the rear of the vehicle
Two friends of British boxer Anthony Joshua have been confirmed dead after a car crash in Nigeria which left the athlete in hospital.
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After the crash on Monday, a statement from an official spokesperson for Anthony Joshua said: “It is with the deepest and most profound sadness that we confirm, following a road traffic accident in Lagos Nigeria earlier today, the death of Sina Ghami and Kevin ‘Lateef’ Ayodele.
“Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team.
“We respectfully ask that space and privacy be given to the families at this time while they process this truly shocking and devastating news.”
Latif Ayodele was a personal trainer for Joshua and has known the boxer since before he struck fame during the London 2012 Olympics.
Read more: Anthony Joshua takes six rounds to beat YouTuber Jake Paul as boxers booed after Miami clash
Fellow former boxing world champion Badou Jack also paid tribute to Ayodele with a number of photos of the pair together.
The post was captioned: “Still in shock. May Allah forgive you for your shortcomings and grant you the highest level of paradise.”
Sina, Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach, also died in the crash.
Ogun State Police said the incident occurred along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on Monday morning.
Five men were in the car when it collided with a stationary truck by the side of the road, officials say.
Footage of the crash has been shared online that appears to show Joshua sat in the back of the wrecked car surrounded by smashed glass and looking dazed.
A police statement said: “The Ogun State Police Command confirms that world-renowned boxer, Anthony Joshua, was involved in a road traffic accident at about 11am in Makun, Ogun State.
“The vehicle conveying Mr Joshua, a Lexus SUV, was involved in the accident under circumstances that are currently being investigated.
"Joshua, seated in the rear of the vehicle, sustained minor injuries and is receiving medical attention with another injured person.
“Tragically, two other passengers in the vehicle lost their lives at the scene. Further updates on the incident will be communicated as investigation progresses.”
Eyewitness Adeniyi Orojo told Nigerian newspaper The Punch that a Lexus and Pajero were involved in the crash.
He said: "Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another person beside him.
"There was also a passenger sitting beside the driver, making four occupants in the Lexus that crashed. His security detail was in the vehicle behind them before the crash."
Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn told told Daily Mail Sport: “I am away on a family holiday and awoke to the news of this incident.
“We are trying to contact Anthony and in the meantime we don’t want to speculate on how he is but thankfully he appears OK from what I have seen in the images.
“We are awaiting more information on what has happened and will update in due course.”
Joshua shared a video to Instagram just hours before the crash showing him playing table tennis with his personal trainer.
Earlier this month, Joshua called out Tyson Fury after his sixth-round victory over Youtuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Miami.
Joshua is reportedly close to agreeing a long-awaited fight against Fury in Riyadh in 2026.
Paul paid tribute to Joshua and those affected in the crash with a post on X that read: "Life is much more important than boxing. I am praying for the lost lives, AJ and anyone impacted by today’s unfortunate accident."